(14 Jun 2003) SHOTLIST
1. Various of people voting inside station
2. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Vox Pop
"The European Union is a union of European states isn't it? I think we belong in Europe."
3. Cutaway of polling station
4. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Vox Pop
"I don't see any reasons to have doubts about our decision to become an EU member."
5. Door of polling station closing with sign saying referendum
6. Exterior views of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
7. People looking at computer screens
8. Close up of screen with result of referendum
9. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Vladimir Spidla, Czech Prime Minister
"I think the goal of the Czech Republic in Europe is to become a fully independent member, one that can contribute fully and freely on all important issues within the Union."
10. Close up of 'Yes to EU' sign
11. Wide shot of Spidla leaving
12. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Vox Pop
"I am pro but I have small doubts. For example: how are we going to deal with increases in price and many other things we don't know about the European Union?"
13. SOUNDBITE (Czech) Vox Pop
"If they were to wait two years maybe we could get better conditions to enter the EU. We live in the centre of Europe so all trade and transport must go through our country. We have to see if time will show us if we made the right decision."
14. Wide shot of Ministry of Foreign Affairs
STORYLINE:
Czechs voted overwhelmingly to join the European Union in a binding referendum, according to official results
released on Saturday.
Final results showed that 77.33 percent of voters affirmed the measure, while 22.67 voted "no," according to the state Statistical Office.
Turnout was 55.21 percent.
The vote opens the way for the former communist nation to be part of the largest expansion in the EU's history next May, when 10 new members are due to join the 15-member bloc.
Many Czechs believe joining the EU will bring long-term economic benefits and raise living standards for future generations.
So far Poland, Hungary, Lithuania, Malta, Slovenia and Slovakia have backed joining the EU in referendums, setting the stage for what will be the largest expansion in the union's history.
Latvia and Estonia will hold referendums in September.
Of the 10 candidate states, only Cyprus has decided not to hold a vote on membership.
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